Sri Lanka Tourism Awards 2010 up for grabs

Sri Lanka Tourism yesterday announced that its annual awards for the year 2010 are up for grabs with entries closing on 20 April and the ceremony scheduled to be held in May.

The Sri Lanka Tourism Awards competition is aimed at recognising and rewarding excellence in the travel and tourism industry.

The first ever travel and tourism awards were held in 2008 under the patronage of the then Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayake. Since then, this annual event has been gathering momentum with more participation and recognition of new products and services.

“It is in this context that Sri Lanka Tourism proudly presents Sri Lanka Tourism Awards 2010 for the fourth successive year,” a spokesman said. The Sri Lanka Tourism Awards 2010 will recognise and reward excellence in the Sri Lankan tourism industry. It represents the highest possible honours for Sri Lanka’s tourism operators and provides an opportunity to celebrate distinction and encourage improvement in an ever-changing business environment.

The spokesman said that prior to the introduction of the awards, no scheme was in place to recognise and reward excellence in the travel and tourism industry similar to other sectors, which have seen accolades and awards presented annually.

The awards will be presented by 27 May 2011 at Waters Edge Hotel.

Information with regard to categories of awards and procedures to be followed for submission of application are available on www.tourismawards.lk or collect from the office of Director/ Product Development and Events, Sri Lanka Tourism, Ground Floor, No 80, Galle Road, Colombo 03.

The categories of awards are:

General Awards: A) Tourism Legends B) Tourism Pioneers C) Outstanding Contribution to Tourism, D) Tourism Entrepreneur of the Year, E) Leisure Attraction of the Year

Tourist Hotels – Star Classified: A) Five Star (City), B) Five Star (Resort), C) Four Star D) Three Star E) Two Star F) One Star

Tourist Hotels – Other A) Unique Accommodation (Boutique Hotels & Villas) B) Hosted Accommodation a) Hotels, a-1) Best host Hotel-Ayurveda Tourism, a-2) Best host Hotel-Adventure Sports a-3) Best host Hotel-Spa a-4) Best host Hotel/Centre - Water Sport, a-5) Best host Hotel – Ecotourism, a-6) Best host Hotel – Heritage & Culture, a-7) Best host Hotel – Agri-tourism b) Guest Houses, c) Heritage Homes, d) Home Stay Units C) Tourist Restaurants & Catering Services

nTravel & Tourism Operator, A) Major Tour Operators – Inbound , B) Tour Operator Emerging Market (Non Traditional Markets) C) Tour Operator FIT (Foreign Independent Travelers), D) Transport Operator E) Destination Loyal Partner (Foreign) – Tour Operator

Airlines – Contribution to Tourism, A) Airline of the Year B) Scheduled Airline operation of the Year, C) Charter Airline operation of the Year

MICE Operations, A) Professional Conference Organizer, B) Professional Exhibition Organizer C) Conference / Exhibition Venue

Marketing Communications, A) Tourism Promotional Campaign B) Electronic Media Program on Travel & Tourism - TV C) Electronic Media Program on Travel & Tourism - RADIO D) Print Media Presentation on Travel & Tourism, E) Foreign Journalist Promoting Sri Lanka Tourism F) Best Tourism Website F-1) Travel (eg: Destination promotion), F-2) Hotel, F-3) Niche Product (eg: Adventure Sports, Spa, etc.)

Provincial Tourism Project, A) Provincial Destination Development & Marketing Initiative B) Local Destination Development

Tourism Education & Training Effort

Excellence In Service, A) National Tourist Guide Lecturer B) Chauffeur Tourist Guide Lecturer C) Chef of the Year.

Applicants are required to enter the category that best reflects their core business. Should you intend applying for more than one category, a separate and complete entry must be submitted for each additional category.

Achievements or activities referred to in the entry must relate to the qualifying period i.e. Financial year 2010 (1 January 2010 – 31 December 2010 or 1 April 2009 – 31 March 2010).